Question On Notice No. 553 asked in the Legislative Council on 22 February 2022 by Hon Martin Aldridge
Question Directed to the: Leader of the House representing the Minister for Health
Parliament: 41 Session: 1
Question
I refer to the media statement issued on 9 February 2022 titled "RATS for domestic and international arrivals under new protocol", and I ask:
(a) how many Rapid Antigen Tests have been secured for this program;
(b) what is the total cost of this program; and
(c) will Western Australians be provided with free rapid antigen tests in the same manner as international and interstate arrivals?
Answered on 23 March 2022
(a) - (b) 67,000 RATs have been distributed for airport use at a value of $335,000 to date.
(c) The WA Government has launched WA’s Free RAT Program, making RATs free for all Western Australians. 15 free RATs will be distributed to all Western Australian households, regardless of where you live, with registrations available on the WA Government website or by calling the 13 COVID (13 26843).
The delivery of RATs to regional Western Australia is being prioritised, with households in remote communities each receiving 20 RATs.
Additional free RATs are also being distributed at community hubs throughout the State, including at sporting events, shopping centres and public transport hubs, as well as at numerous locations in regional Western Australia including Broome, Geraldton, Albany and Bunbury.